As we head towards the last of the summer tournaments it’s great to see West District and West District Umpires Association represented this week by Grace Mulholland, who will be a Techical Official at the FIH Para Hockey World Cup 2026.
This Tournament will be run between 20th and 24th of August and played at HC Myra in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Louvain-La-Neuve HC, in Belgium. However, the final day will be held in the same arenas as those hosting the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, namely the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen and the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.
Played in a mixed gender 6-a-side format and will feature athletes from Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, the United States and Zambia, and should significantly contribute to the development of Para Hockey worldwide and highlights the FIH’s ongoing efforts and determination to promote diversity and inclusion in hockey.
Para Hockey is for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) and is a format that was established nearly 15 years ago. True to the values of diversity and inclusion applied in all its policies and activities, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has been supporting Para Hockey for many years. In the last survey organised by FIH to count the number of hockey participants worldwide, more than 30 National Associations indicated that they had launched Para Hockey in their country.
With Grace’s passion for Para Hockey it’s great to see her being recognised and chosen to officiate at this inaugural World Cup. We know she will do a tremendous job and work well with the athletes.
Travel safe Grace and enjoy the Tournament.
